A poignant Great War ‘Western Front 1918’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Scout-Sergeant George Thomson, 1/5th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who, having been decorated for his gallantry at Beugneux on 29 July 1918, was killed in his battalion’s final action of the War at Anseghem on 31 October

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (241579 Cpl.-A. Sjt: G. Thomson. 1/5 K.O. Sco: Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (241579 A. Sjt. G. Thomson. K.O.S.B.) medals unmounted, extremely fine (3) £1,400-£1,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919:

‘He has continuously shown great courage and initiative. In particular at the action of Beugneux, on 29th July, he showed marked gallantry and leadership of men, and when all his officers had become casualties, he brought the company out of action.’

George Thomson was born at Cairlaverock, Dumfries, on 25 June 1889, and prior to enlisting at Glasgow he was working for a butchers in Lockerbie. He served in Egypt and Palestine from mid-1916 before moving to France, where he won the D.C.M. and was subsequently killed in action as reported in the press:

‘Sergt. George Thomson, 1-5th K.O.S.B. was killed in action on 31st October in France. He had formerly served in Egypt and Palestine, and had seen a good deal of fighting. Before the war he was employed with Messrs A. Burns & Son, butchers, Lockerbie. He leaves a widow and one child, who reside at Johnsfield, Lockerbie. Mrs Thomson is a daughter of Mr W. Richardson, joiner, Jocksthorn, Johnstone.’

The same newspaper a week later reported:

‘Sergt. George Thomson, 1-5th K.O.S.B., whose death we reported last week, was a son of the late Charles Thomson, forester, Jardine Hall, and Mrs Thomson, Cleughfoots. His youngest brother died from wounds in the Dardanelles three years ago, while the last surviving brother, who has been over two years in Salonika, is at present in hospital there. A letter from one of his officers says he can find no word to express his admiration of his courage, keenness, and ability as Scout-Sergeant. His example to the men was invaluable, as no one was more to be trusted in a tight corner. He was killed instantaneously while reconnoitring, and was buried at Sterhock. He leaves a widow and one child, who reside at Johnsfield, Lockerbie.’

Thomson now lies in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, located 32 kilometres east of Ypres, and is one of ten members of his battalion buried side by side. Within a fortnight of his death, his wife was struck down in the influenza epidemic raging then throughout the world, and she died on 29 November 1918, thus leaving her three-year-old son Charlie without parents.

The group is sold with a good selection of personal effects and documents including a Memorial scroll, an illuminated memorial scroll from the Burgh of Lockerbie, a pocket New Testament, and a large quantity of photographs and postcard photographs (approx 80) sent home to his wife and son throughout the War until shortly before his death.